Benue: Protesters blockade road over renewed killings

The family of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), expressed concern on Wednesday regarding the terrorism charges leveled against the Biafra activist. Kanunta, Kanu’s younger brother, questioned the shift in charges from treason to terrorism.

In a post on X, Kanunta criticized the Nigerian judiciary, accusing judges of failing to adhere to the rule of law. He questioned the purpose of “disclosure” in court processes and found it absurd that the charges against Nnamdi Kanu changed without clear justification.

Kanunta’s inquiry arose after Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Federal High Court instructed Kanu to either commence trial on that day or adjourn it indefinitely. This came in response to Kanu’s lead lawyer’s repeated claims that his client was not adequately prepared for trial.

Kanu had set forth several conditions that the federal government must meet before he would agree to face prosecution for treasonable offenses. These included being transferred out of DSS custody, being placed under house arrest, the restoration of his revoked bail, and unrestricted access to his legal team, family, and medical personnel.

Although Justice Nyako scheduled rulings on Kanu’s two new applications for May 20, the defendant vehemently opposed the commencement of the trial. Despite the judge’s insistence on progress, Kanu refused to proceed with the trial.

Following this deadlock, Justice Nyako temporarily suspended proceedings, giving Kanu the option to either commence the trial that day or adjourn it indefinitely.